Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University Maritime Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Mustafa Sarı noted that the increase in sea water temperatures due to climate change is the main factor in the mass death of pinas in the Mediterranean, and that the special structure of the Marmara Sea protects the pinas.
Pinas, an endemic shell mussel species specific to the Mediterranean basin, are distributed from the shore to a depth of 60 meters. Pinas, whose average lifespan is 50 years and can reach up to 120 centimeters in length, are described as the natural filter of the marine ecosystem, thanks to their ability to filter 6 liters of seawater per hour and clean the waste that cannot be purified.
Answering the AA reporter’s questions about the effects of climate change on the pina population, Sarı said that the live pina population remains only in the Marmara Sea.
Stating that the mass pina deaths that started on the coast of Spain in 2016 reached the Dardanelles in 2019, Sarı said, “As of today, we have lost the pina populations in all regions of the Mediterranean between the Dardanelles and the Strait of Gibraltar.” said.
Sarı made the following evaluations regarding the causes of pina deaths:
“The main factor that is effective in the mass death of pinas is the increase in sea water temperatures due to climate change. This increase brought with it salinity, and as a result, a parasite that did not cause mass deaths in other places at other times infected the pinas and caused mass deaths. With the infection of this parasite, the pina’s immunity system weakens. When the immune system weakens, other organisms in the environment, such as bacteria and viruses, come into play. If there is pollution and plastic waste in the water, the death rate accelerates and increases even more. In other words, this multiple effect definitely plays a role in the fact that we lost all the pinas in 3 years. However, let us emphasize that the primary trigger is climate change.”
“The removal of seagrass beds affects the population”
Sharing the information that sea water temperatures in the Mediterranean basin are 2 degrees higher than the 50-year average, Sarı explained that the energy and heat storage capacities of waters are 5 times higher than the soil, therefore sea waters cannot cool down as quickly as the soil and the accumulation effect increases over time and negatively affects the pinas.
Stating that the destruction of sea meadows, the natural habitat of pinas, is one of the important problems that causes the decline of the pina population, Sarı stated that misuse and filling of the shores, fishing nets scraping the seabed and anchoring activities also cause the pina population to decrease.
Prof. Dr. Sarı said, “Currently, the biggest threat to the pina comes from humans. The pinas faced mass deaths due to climate change, but the special structure of the Marmara Sea protected it. For now, it maintains its vitality in Marmara, the population continues in a very healthy way, but if we continue to destroy the coasts Pina will have no place to live.” made his assessment.
Pointing out that only half of the domestic waste of 25 million people living around the Marmara Sea can be treated, and the rest is discharged directly into the sea without treatment, Sarı predicted that this pollution could negatively affect the pinas.
Stating that the pinna nobilis species, which only survives in the Marmara Sea, has lived in the Mediterranean for 20 million years, Sarı warned that if pinnas disappear in the Marmara Sea, we will be faced with a more polluted sea.
“If we want Marmara without mucilage, pina is our hope”
Stating that pinas feed by filtering microscopic plant and animal organisms called plankton in sea water and meanwhile clarify the water in the regions they are in, Sarı said, “Pinas help us in reducing the pollution load of Marmara, filtering the water. The last shelter of pinas is the Marmara Sea, on the other hand, if we want a Marmara without mucilage Pina is our hope.” he said.
Stating that there is a population of over 70 pinas per 100 square meters in Erdek Bay and that a fine of 16 thousand 561 TL is imposed in case of damage to pinas, Sarı made the following recommendations about what needs to be done to protect the pinas:
“While using marine coasts, we should realize that that shallow coastal area, which we do not attach any importance to, is of vital importance for many marine creatures, especially the pina, and stop filling it. Of course, we should not remove or damage sea meadows for any reason, especially tourism activities. We should not pollute the sea. “We should not eliminate elements that will reduce existing pollution, such as; and of course, we need to stay away from wrong hunting techniques, anchoring and diving activities that will harm the pina on the shore as much as possible.”
Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University Maritime Faculty Dean Prof. Dr. Mustafa Sarı emphasized that a conservation strategy is needed to ensure the continuity of the pina population and that public institutions, private sector and non-governmental organizations should work together for the steps to be taken in this regard.
The opinions expressed herein are the author’s and not necessarily those of News2Sea.
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